Macon Magazine

through photography. She eased into work as she settled with the usual photography requests, but also "had a couple of fine arts shows in Cheyenne and shoots for a magazine and even for the state, traveling all of Wyoming to photograph state parks." However, on her visits back to Macon, she began to hear the call of home. "Macon was changing for the better, especially downtown and midtown, and I could tell the community of artists was growing," she said. And so, after eight years in Wyoming, she made the decision to come back to Macon: "I needed my family and missed my closest friends and what Macon meant to me — the comfort of home." But re-entry was tough. "ere were so many more photographers in town than when I left, but unlike before, when I hardly communicated with other photographers, I noticed the shift into a more supportive community. We were colleagues, not competitors. On top of that, some of my former clients welcomed me back with open arms," she said. "Now that I'm back, my priorities have changed to not just take work to pay the bills, but take the work that means something to me and to Macon. "I want to add to the community of artistry by bouncing ideas off other photographers and to get and give insight and provide mentorship within the group. I want to form as many relationships as I can with this supportive community." ough the isolation of the pandemic slowed the progress of forming those relationships, she still was able to find work and "through the efforts of other photographers, I was able to meet others over Zoom and still grow some of my burgeoning connections." Now, she not only has her family nearby, but she also has her closest friends and a community of photographers to aid in her growth as an artist and as a person. Macon's call was strong for Leah, and she knows she made the decision her heart needed – the peace and comfort of home. "ere's something to be said about the feeling of home. I know why I feel at home here, but it is interesting that people who aren't originally from here feel that way. ey say it's in the water. Maybe it is?" "THERE'S SOMETHING TO BE SAID ABOUT THE FEELING OF HOME. I KNOW WHY I FEEL AT HOME HERE, BUT IT IS INTERESTING THAT PEOPLE WHO AREN'T ORIGINALLY FROM HERE FEEL THAT WAY. THEY SAY IT'S IN THE WATER. MAYBE IT IS?" - LEAH YETTER Georgia Grown, Organic and Artisan Goods Featuring Rocking Chair Ranch Cattle Grass Fed Beef 2381 Ingleside Avenue | Macon, GA 31204| 478.254.8722 APRIL/MAY 2021 | maconmagazine.com 33

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